Fables and Legends of Ireland Author:Maureen Donegan These fascinating tales were told and retold by word of mouth down through the years. Although they are full of magical creatures and enchanted castles they are also about people: real people who suffered from indigestion and jealousy, just like us. Ailill and Maeve compare their possessions; the discussion quickly becomes an argument because Ai... more »lill has his own bull, the Finnbennach and Maeve must have a better one. She assembles all the warriors of her kingdom to fight for the possession of the magical bull, the Dohn Cuailnge.
Maildun travels the seven seas, battling with bizarre and fantastic monsters, to search for the man who killed his father. He falls by the wayside more than once, particularly when there is a beautiful woman involved, but eventually arrives home to a hero's welcome.
Fionn Mac Cumhal and his band of followers spend their days hunting, fishing and protecting damsels in distress. They have a little trouble with their wives who do not always care to be left by the fireside but when they have an evening out together in a local tavern it leads to disaster. Oisin is spirited away to Tir-na-n-Og by the lovely Niamh but, before he dies, he has the satisfaction of getting the better of St Patrick. The Fianna, though larger than life and swashbuckling across Ireland even into fairy cities, live on, in spirit if not in flesh, in an Ireland which is much changed since giants and heroes strode across it.
First published in 1976, this is a 1989 reprint, ISBN 0853428891.« less